Post-Gupta Period MCQ: Samudragupta's Conquests, Trade Guilds & the Gupta Decline

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Gupta dynasty ruled during which period?

   • A.319-500 A.D.
   • B.319-324 A.D.✓ Correct Answer
   • C.325-375 A.D.
   • D.566-597 A.D.

   Explanation: Gupta dynasty ruled during 275-550 AD. The dynasty was established by Srigupta, but the first powerful ruler was Chandragupta I (319-335 AD). Option (a) is the closest accurate answer.

2. Q2.Who of the following rulers had performed four Ashwamedhas?

   • A.Pushyamitra Shunga
   • B.Pravarasena-I
   • C.Samudragupta✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Chandragupta-II

   Explanation: King of Vakataka, Pravarasena-I had performed four Ashwamedhas. He also performed many Vedic oblations.

3. Q3.Who is known as the Napoleon of India?

   • A.Chandragupta Maurya
   • B.Chandragupta- II Vikramaditya
   • C.Great Ashoka
   • D.Samudragupta

   Explanation: Historian V.A. Smith in his composition 'Early History of India' called Samudragupta (335-375 AD) of Gupta dynasty as 'Napoleon of India' for his great military conquests.

4. Q4.Who among the following Gupta Kings had another name Devagupta?

   • A.Samudragupta
   • B.Chandragupta- II
   • C.Kumaragupta✓ Correct Answer
   • D.None of the above

   Explanation: Another name of Gupta ruler Chandragupta-II 'Vikramaditya' is found as Devagupta. Its evidence has been obtained from Sanchi and Vakataka inscriptions.

5. Q5.The first Gupta ruler to assume the title of 'Param Bhagavata' was?

   • A.Chandragupta- I
   • B.Samudragupta
   • C.Chandragupta- II✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Srigupta

   Explanation: Copperplate inscription of Samudragupta from Nalanda and Gaya describes 'Param Bhagavata' title of Samudragupta. (Note: Some sources consider Chandragupta II as the answer).

6. Q6.The Allahabad Pillar inscription is associated with which one of the following?

   • A.Mahapadma Nanda
   • B.Chandragupta Maurya
   • C.Ashoka
   • D.Samudragupta

   Explanation: The Ashoka pillar inscription of Allahabad is associated with Samudragupta. It contains the 'Prayaga Prashasti' written by Harisena.

7. Q7.Prayag Prashashti tells about the military campaign of?

   • A.Chandragupta- I
   • B.Samudragupta
   • C.Chandragupta- II✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Kumaragupta

   Explanation: Prayag Prashashti (Allahabad Pillar Inscription) lists the political and military achievements of Samudragupta's reign.

8. Q8.An inscription by which of the following is found on the pillar containing Prayag Prasasti of Samudragupta?

   • A.Jahangir
   • B.Shahjahan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Aurangzeb
   • D.Dara Shikoh

   Explanation: The Allahabad pillar contains inscriptions of Ashoka, Samudragupta, and a Persian inscription of Jahangir.

9. Q9.Which of the following inscription reveals information about Silk Weavers Guild?

   • A.Dashpur Inscription
   • B.Prayag Prashasti✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Eran Inscription
   • D.Hathigumpha Inscription

   Explanation: The Dashpur (Mandsaur) inscription mentions a guild of silk weavers who built a Sun temple during the reign of Kumaragupta I.

10. Q10.'Prithivyah Pratham Veer' was the title of?

    • A.Samudragupta
    • B.Rajendra- I✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Amoghavarsha
    • D.Gautamiputra Shatkarni

    Explanation: Samudragupta assumed the title 'Prithivyama Pratiratha' (First brave man on Earth) after performing Ashvamedha Yajna.

11. Q11.There were different causes for the downfall of the Gupta Empire. Which one among the statements given below was not the cause?

    • A.Huna invasion
    • B.Feudal set-up of administration
    • C.Acceptance of Buddhism by the later Guptas
    • D.Arab invasion

    Explanation: The decline of the Gupta Empire was not due to the Arab invasion. Arabs invaded India much later.

12. Q12.Who is known as 'Saka-conqueror'?

    • A.Chandragupta- I
    • B.Samudragupta
    • C.Chandragupta- II
    • D.Kumaragupta✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Chandragupta-II 'Vikramaditya' was known as the 'Saka Conqueror' (Sakari) as he defeated the last Saka king Rudrasimha-III.

13. Q13.Who was the first Gupta ruler to issue silver coins?

    • A.Chandragupta- I
    • B.Samudragupta
    • C.Chandragupta- II
    • D.Kumargupta✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Chandragupta II issued silver coins (Rupaka) to commemorate his victory over the Sakas.

14. Q14.From the third century AD when the Huna invasion ended the Roman Empire, the Indian merchants relied more and more on the?

    • A.African trade
    • B.Western-European trade
    • C.South-East Asian trade
    • D.Middle-Eastern trade✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: When the Roman Empire declined due to Huna invasions, Indian merchants shifted their focus to South-East Asian trade.

15. Q15.Which one of the following ports handled the North Indian trade during the Gupta period?

    • A.Tamralipti
    • B.Bhadoch✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Kalyan
    • D.Cambay

    Explanation: Tamralipti in Bengal was a prominent port for trade with South-East Asia and China during the Gupta period.

16. Q16.With reference to the guilds (Shreni) of ancient India, which of the following statement is correct?

    • A.Every guild was registered with the central authority.
    • B.The wages, rules of work, standard and prices were fixed by the guild.
    • C.The guild had judicial powers over its members.
    • D.All of the above

    Explanation: Guilds fixed wages and prices, and also had judicial powers over their members. (Note: Based on the provided text, option (c) '2 and 3 only' was correct in source, but here options are rephrased. The source says guilds had judicial power and fixed rules).

17. Q17.Centers located in Gujarat, Bengal, Deccan and Tamil Country during the Gupta period were associated with which of the following?

    • A.Textile manufacture
    • B.Gems and precious stones✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Handicrafts
    • D.Opium cultivation

    Explanation: These regions were famous for textile manufacturing, which was a prime industry of the Gupta period.

18. Q18.Who among the following is not associated with medicine in ancient India?

    • A.Dhanvantari
    • B.Bhaskaracharya
    • C.Charaka✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Susruta

    Explanation: Bhaskaracharya was a great astronomer and mathematician, not a physician. Dhanvantari, Charaka, and Susruta were associated with medicine.

19. Q19.With reference to scientific progress of ancient India, which statement is correct regarding the 5th Century AD?

    • A.Transplant of internal organs had begun.
    • B.The concept of the sine of an angle was known.
    • C.The concept of cyclic quadrilaterals was known.✓ Correct Answer
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: The concept of sine, cosine, and inverse sine was known in the 5th century AD (Gupta period).

20. Q20.Who of the following among the Nine Gems of Chandragupta II was associated with Astrology?

    • A.Vararuchi
    • B.Sanku
    • C.Kshapanak
    • D.Amar Singh✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Kshapanak was the astrologer among the Nine Gems (Navratnas) of Chandragupta II.